The present invention provides a flame sensor having dynamic sensitivity adjustment, wherein the sensitivity of the flame detector can be adjusted by varying the gain of a signal conditioning circuit associated with the flame detector. The flame detector includes a photodiode, such as, for example, a silicon carbide (SiC) photodiode, that, when exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of from about 190-400 nanometers, and preferably within the ultraviolet range. The photodiode generates a photocurrent proportional to the ultraviolet light intensity to which it is exposed. The output of the photodiode is processed and amplified by signal conditioning circuitry to produce a signal indicative of the presence of a flame. Moreover, a cutoff wavelength for silicon carbide photodiodes is preferably in the range of about 400 nanometers, which renders the photodiode "blind" to potentially interfering blackbody radiation from the walls of the turbine.